1st reading blog

Throughout my reading I undoubtedly came across some really good information.  In chapter 1 I learned that 100,000 years ago there was an estimated 10,000 people in the world.  To me that information is very significant because it also explains how closely knit a Paleolithic society was.  A group of 25-50 people were very close all relationships were very personal.  It was like a small town or family and that to me is amazing.  To know that humankind began as a tight family is great to know.  It makes me think about my family and how close we are.  The comparisons are close and with time a family or town grows.  The Paleolithic bands were seasonally mobile or nomadic, which meant that they needed to move often to exploit the resources.  They lived off the land and the women were the primary food gathers, women were the reason why they survived.  Everyone was an equal; it wasn’t until later that societies formed kings, chiefs and more powerful positions.  At this time they needed to work together to survive. 

In chapter 3 one of the six first civilizations was know as a Olmec, they were found along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.  It was said that the Olmec might have created the first written language in the Americas.  The rituals that were practiced by the Olmec spread throughout the region and influenced the other civilizations like the Maya and Teotihuacan.  Have you seen the movie Apacalypto? Well that movie is about that and is really a good source of information about an ancient civilization.  To be the start of a civilization and to influence others shows how strong and powerful a nation and way of doing things can be.  All the evidence that was left behind for us modern humans to find like; temples, burial grounds, statues and living quarters, show us how influential and ingenious people were 1000’s of years ago.  They lived off the land; they didn’t have grocery stores or ketchup.  They survived on corn, beans and other naturally grown products that they harvested themselves.  To know that we started from that is exceptional and humbling.